Official    Memoir 


OF 


LIEUTENANT   COMMANDER 

A.  BOYD  CDMMINGS 

II.  8.  INT.' 


WASHINGTON : 

CHRONICLE      PUB  LIS  HI  NO     COMPANY. 

1874. 


C4/4o  fet^'for 


Official      Memoir 


OF 


LIEUTENANT    COMMANDER 

A.  BOYD  CUMMINGS 

XT.    S.    1ST. 


The  following  letters  and  reports  are  taken  from  the 
reports  of  the  Secretary  of  the  Navy  for  the  years  1862 
and  1863. 


REPORT 


OF 


COMMAHDEE    JAMES    ALDE1T, 

UNITED  STATES  STEAMER  RICHMOND. 


United  States  Steamer  Richmond, 
Off  New  Orleans,  April  27,  1862. 

Sir:  In  accordance  with  your  instructions  I  herewith 
inclose  copies  of  the  boatswain's  and  carpenter's  reports 
of  the  damage  done  to  this  vessel  by  the  enemy's  shot 
during  the  engagement  of  Fort  Jackson  and  St.  Philip, 
on  the  morning  of  the  24th  instant.  The  list  of  casual- 
ties I  have  already  forwarded  to  you;  it  is  very  small, 
there  being  but  two  killed  and  four  wounded.  Much  in- 
jury to  the  men,  I  am  sure,  was  saved  by  a  carefully-pre- 
pared "Splinter  netting."  At  one  point  between  the  guns 
the  netting  was  forced  out  to  its  utmost  tension  ;  indeed 
large  pieces  of  plank  were  thus  prevented  from  sweeping 
the  deck,  and  perhaps  destroying  the  men  at  the  guns. 
I  would,  therefore,  recommend  that,  in  our  future  opera- 
tions, these  simple  "pain-savers."  or  "  life-preservers,"  be 
adopted  in  other  ships  of  the  fleet. 

I  must  beg  leave  to  call  your  attention  to  another  sim- 
ple and  very  effective  expedient  which  was  resorted  to 
on  board  this  vessel  to  obtain  light,  an  element  so  essential 
in  a  night  attack  on  board  ship.  The  deck  and  gun-car- 
riages were  whitewashed  fore  and  aft,  and   it  was  truly 


6 

wonderful  to  note  the  difference ;  where  before  all  was 
darkness,  now  side  Jackie,  falls,  handspikes,  ammunition, 
and  indeed  everything  of  the  kind  about  the  decks  was 
plainly  visible  by  the  contrast.  This  idea  being  so  novel, 
and  at  the  same  time  effective,  I  trust  it  will  receive 
through  you  the  notice  it  deserves,  so  that  when  others 
are  driven  to  the  dire  necessity  of  a  night  attack  they  may 
have  all  the  advantages  the  discovery  insures. 

We  had  much  difficulty  in  groping  our  way  through 
that  "fiery  channel,"  our  ship  being  so  slow,  and  the  en- 
emy was  met  in  the  "worst  form  for  our  profession,"  but 
the  hand  of  a  kind  Providence  gave  us  the  victory.  No 
men  could  behave  better  throughout  that  terrible  ordeal 
than  the  crew  of  this  vessel  did.  My  thanks  for  support 
are  due  to  them  and  the  officers  generally.  I  am  espe- 
cially indebted  to  Mr.  Terry,  our  second  lieutenant,  for 
his  ready  and  intelligent  aid  in  the  management  of  the 
ship  during  the  action  ;  but  to  Mr.  Cummings,  our  first 
lieutenant,  are  mainly  due,  as  far  as  this  ship  is  concerned, 
the  handsome  results  of  the  morning.  By  his  cool  and 
intrepid  conduct  the  batteries  were  made  to  do  their 
whole  duty,  and  not  a  gun  was  pointed  nor  a  shot  sent 
without  its  mark.  My  thanks  are  due  to  Mr.  Bogart,  my 
clerk,  who  took  the  place  of  Mr.  John  B.  Bradley,  mas- 
ter's mate,  who  was  shot  down  at  my  side  while  gallantly 
performing  his  duty  as  my  aid. 

I  am,  sir,  respectfullj',  &c, 

JAMES  ALDEiS",  Commander. 
Flag  Officer  D.  G.  Farragut, 

Commanding  Western  Gulf  Blockading  Squadron. 


United  Steamer  Richmond, 
Above  Vicksburg,  Miss.,  June  28,  1862. 

Sir  :  In  accordance  with  your  instructions,  I  have  the 
honor  to  inclose  herewith  the  surgeon's  report  of  the 
casualties  on  hoard  this  vessel  during  the  engagement 
with  the  batteries  at  Vicksburo-  this  morning.  I  also 
send,  for  your  information,  the  reports  of  the  carpenter 
and  boatswain,  showing  the  injury  done  to  the  Richmond 
by  the  enemy's  shot. 

Where  all  behaved  so  well  I  find  it  impossible  to  desig- 
nate any  particular  individual,  either  among  the  officers 
or  men,  as  meriting  especial  notice  for  gallantry  and  good 
conduct  during  the  spirited  fight,  which  lasted  nearly  an 
hour,  and  was  for  the  most  part  at  short  range.  Still,  I 
feel  that  I  should  be  doing  great  injustice  to  the  officer 
to  whom  the  careful  training  and  consequent  steadiness 
of  the  crew  is  due  if  I  were  to  fail  to  give  him  the  credit 
he  has  so  fairly  won :  I  refer  to  Lieutenant  Curamings, 
the  executive  officer  of  this  ship,  and  I  trust  a  grateful 
couutry  will  soon  reward  him  in  some  way  for  his  untir- 
ing zeal  and  devotion  to  his  profession  and  her  cause. 

With  great  respect,  I  am,  sir,  your  obedient  servant, 
JAMES  ALDEN,  Commander. 
Flag  Officer  D.  G.  Earragut, 

Commanding  Western  Gulf  Blockading  Squadron. 


United  States  Steamer  Richmond, 

Below  Port  Hudson,  La.,  March  15,  1863. 

Sir  :    I  have  respectfully  to  report  that  our  attempt  to 

pass  the  batteries  at  Port  Hudson  last  night,  in  company 

with  the  Admiral  and  the  other  ships  of  the  squadron, 

was  frustrated  by  a  shot  striking  the  steam-pipe  in  the 


vicinity  of  the  safety  valves,  upsetting  them  both  and 
letting  oft'  the  steam.  At  the  time  this  accident  occurred 
we  were  in  position,  second  in  the  line  which  the  Admi- 
ral was  leading,  and  with  her  engaging  the  last  battery. 
The  turning  point  was  gained  ;  but  I  soon  found,  even  with 
the  aid  of  the  Genesee,  which  vessel  was  lashed  alongside, 
that  we  could  make  no  headway  against  the  strong  cur- 
rent of  the  river,  and  suffering  much  from  a  galling  cross- 
fire of  the  enemy's  batteries,  I  was  compelled,  though 
most  reluctantly,  to  turn  back,  and  by  the  aid  of  the 
Genesee  soon  anchored  out  of  the  range  of  their  guns. 
My  noble  and  gallant  friend,  Lieutenant  Commander 
Cummings,  the  executive  officer  of  this  ship,  was  shot 
down  at  my  side  just  before  this  accident  occurred,  his 
left  leg  being  taken  off  below  the  knee  by  a  cannon  shot 
while  lie  was  in  the  bravest  manner  cheering  the  men  at 
the  guns. 

Inclosed  I  send  you  a  list  of  casualties  and  also  reports 
of  injuries  done  to  the  ship  by  the  enemy's  shot.  To  say, 
in  the  most  emphatic  manner,  that  all  did  their  duty 
nobly  and  well  under  the  most  trying  circumstances  that 
men  could  be  placed  in  is  but  a  feeble  tribute  to  their  de- 
votion and  gallantly.  For  more  than  two  hours  they 
stood  to  their  guns  and  replied  in  the  steadiest  manner 
to  the  most  galling  fire  that  I  have  ever  witnessed,  not 
excepting  the  memorable  passage  of  Forts  Jackson  and 
St.  Philip.  Our  difficulties  in  this  action  were  heightened 
by  the  abrupt  turn  in  the  river,  where  the  strongest  of 
the  enenry's  batteries  were  placed,  by  the  obscurity  of  the 
night,  and  the  humidity  of  the  atmosphere,  this  last  caus- 
ing the  smoke  to  settle  around  us  so  that  we  were  fre- 
quently compelled  to  cease  firing  to  find  our  way. 


9 

Just  before  the  accident  to  our  steam-pipe  a  torpedo 
was  exploded  close  under  our  stern,  throwing  the  water  . 
up  thirty  feet,  bursting  in  the  cabin  windows,  and  doing 
other  unimportant  injury. 

Whereas  I  have  said  all  did  their  duty  so  well  it  would 
almost  seem  invidious  to  designate  any  by  name.  Of 
Lieutenant  Commander  Gummings  I  have  spoken  else- 
where, aud  I  trust  he  will  be  promoted  immediately  as  a 
slight  token  of  his  worth  and  bravery.  Lieutenant  Ter- 
ry's  service  in  this  action  can  hardly  be  overestimated. 
To  his  consummate  coolness,  which  I  have  never  seen 
excelled,  together  with  a  quick  eye,  the  rescue  of  this 
vessel  is,  in  a  great  measure,  due.  Captain  Ramsay,  who 
deserves  special  mention,  in  charge  of  the  marine  division 
of  great  guns,  had  nearly  a  whole  gun's  crew  swept  away 
by  a  single  cannon  shot,  Acting  Masters  Gibbs  and  AVil- 
son,  together  with  Ensigns  Swann  and  Haskins,  fought 
their  guns  ably  and  well.  Master's  Mate  Cox,  together 
with  my  clerk,  Mr.  Bogart,  who  acted  as  aid  and  signal 
officers,  deserve  mention,  too,  for  their  promptness  in  car- 
rying my  orders.  To  Mr.  Moore,  our  chief  engineer,  great 
credit  is  due  for  his  management  throughout  the  fight, 
and  particularly  after  the  accident  to  the  safety-valve 
chest. 

We  shall  have  our  injuries  temporarily  repaired  by  to- 
morrow, and  be  ready  for  any  emergency  that  may  arise. 
Before,  however,  we  can  be  entirely  efficient  it  will  be 
necessary  to  have  one  new  safety-valve  and  chest,  all  of 
which  can  be  readily  obtained  at  New  Orleans. 
With  great  respect,  I  am  your  obedient  servant, 

JAMES  ALDEN,  Commander. 
Hon.  Gideon  Welles, 

Secretary  of  the  Navy,  Washington,  D.  C. 


10 


REPORT  OF  CAPTAIN  ALDEN  OF  THE  DEATH  OF  LIEUTENANT 
COMMANDER  A.  B.  CUMMINGS. 

United  States  Steamer  Richmond, 

Below  Port  Hudson,  March  23,  I860. 
Sir  :  It  becomes  my  melancholy  duty  to  inform  the  De- 
partment of  the  death  of  Lieutenant  Commander  A.  B. 
Cummings,  late  executive  officer  of  this  ship.  The  fact 
of  his  being  grievously  wounded,  by  the  loss  of  his  leg- 
in  the  action  of  the  14th  instant,  was  stated  in  ray  dis- 
patch dated  the  following  day.  He  died  on  the  18th  in- 
stant, three  days  after  he  left  us  doing  apparently  well. 
In  the  death  of  this  young  and  gallant  officer  the  country 
has  sustained  a  loss  which  can  never  be  repaired.  I  can 
truly  say  that  to  me  personally  it  has  been  a  crushing- 
calamity.  In  the  hour  of  need  he  was  the  main  stay  and 
support  to  his  commander,  and  a  tower  of  strength  to  the 
officers  and  crew,  who  had  so  long  and  had  been  so  used 
to  look  up  to  him  for  counsel  and  advice. 

My  feelings  on  this  occasion  have  been  expressed  in  an 
address  which  I  thought  it  fitting  and  proper  to  deliver 
at  a  general  muster  on  the  quarter-deck  of  this  ship,  a 
copy  of  which  is  herewith  inclosed,  and  which  I  respect- 
fully request  may  be  spread  upon  the  records  of  the  Navy 
Department. 

I  have  the  honor  to  be,  very  truly,  your  obedient  ser- 
vant, 

JAMES  ALDEX, 
Commander  and  Senior  Officer  present. 
Hon.  Gideon  Welles, 

Secretary  of  the  Navy,  Washington,  D.  C. 


11 


Address  of  Captain  Ahlen  to  the  officers  and  crew  of  the 
Richmond.  March  22,  1863. 

With  deep  sorrow  I  call  you  together  to  announce  the 
death  of  our  late  executive  officer,  Lieutenant  Commander 
A.  B.  Cumnrings,  at  Xew  Orleans.  It  has  pleased  God 
to  take  from  among  Us  our  gallant  friend  in  the  fullness 
of  his  energies  and  usefulness.  You  all  well  know  the 
importance  of  his  services  in  this  ship  ;  his  conscientious 
devotion  to  duty  ;  his  justice  and  even  temper  in  main- 
taining discipline  ;  his  ability  in  preparing  tor  emergen- 
cies, and  his  coolness  in  meeting  them.  All  these  quali- 
ties he  brought  to  his  country  in  the  hour  of  need,  and 
he  has  sealed  his  devotion  with  his  life.  The  fatal  can- 
non shot  struck  him  when  he  stood  on  the  u  bridge"  cheer- 
ing the  men  at  the  guns  and  directing  their  tire.  He  was 
thrown  down  upon  the  deck,  but  his  presence  of  mind 
still  remained— he  said:  "Quick!  boys,  pick  me  up;  put 
a  tourniquet  on  my  leg ;  send  my  letters  to  my  wife ;  tell 
them  I  fell  in  doing  my  duty." 

When  below,  he  said  to  the  surgeon :  "  If  there  are 
others  worse  hurt,  attend  to  them  first ;"  "Xolan,  are  you 
here  too  V  He  inquired  about  Howard,  and  his  thoughts 
were  directly  of  others  and  of  success  in  the  fight.  When 
told  that  the  noise  he  heard  was  from  the  escape  of  steam, 
and  that  the  ship  could  no  longer  stem  the  current,  he  ex- 
claimed :  "  I  would  rather  lose  the  other  leg  than  go  back; 
can  nothing  be  done?  there  is  a  south  wind  ;  where  are 
the  sails  ?" 

Friends,  the  high  object  of  our  country  in  this  war  is, 
"  that  peace  and  happiness,  truth  and  justice,  religion  and 
piety,  may  be  established  among  us  for  all  generations." 


12 

In  this  sacred  cause  has  fallen  the  Christian  gentleman 
whose  death  we  now  lament. 

In  this  cause  have  fallen  all  the  brave  men  whose  blood 
has  stained  these  decks.  We  can  not  do  our  duty  better, 
but  let  us  at  least  try  to  do  it  as  well. 

JAMES  ALDEX, 
Commanding  and  Senior  Officer. 


